Analysis of single-cell sequencing results of an elderly patient with myeloid leukemia reveals high expression of multiple oncogenes in monocytes and hematopoietic stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) face a higher risk of death. This study analyzed the gene sequencing results of an elderly AML patient to provide new ideas for treatment. METHODS: This study performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) bioinformatics analysis of blood cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow of a 64-year-old AML-M5 patient before chemotherapy. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and functional enrichment analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 7990 and 123 DEGs were identified in monocytes and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), respectively. Among the top 40 DEGs analyzed, MYB showed high expression in peripheral blood monocytes, while 13 other tumor-related genes exhibited high expression in monocytes in the bone marrow. Peripheral blood and bone marrow HSCs had 6 and 12 highly expressed tumor-related genes respectively, including MCL1, JUN, and JUNB. These genes may form a interconnected network contributing to the progression and heterogeneity of AML, which can have an impact on patient treatment and prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, when treating elderly AML patients, it is important to consider their individual characteristics in order to optimize treatment strategies.

circZNF91 Promotes the Malignant Phenotype of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells by Targeting the miR-1283/WEE1 Axis.

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are frequently dysregulated in cancers and are implicated in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. In this study, we investigated the role of circZNF91 in regulating the malignant phenotype of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells and the underlying molecular mechanism. Material: /. Methods: The expression of circZNF91 was determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The binding sequences between circZNF91/miR-1283 and miR-1283/WEE1 were predicted by the bioinformatic database. The functional interactions were confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter, RT-qPCR, and Western blot assays. The functional roles of the circZNF91/miR-1283/WEE1 axis in CLL progression were examined by cell proliferation, apoptosis, and EdU incorporation assays. Results: circZNF91 was upregulated in CLL samples. Silencing circZNF91 attenuated CLL cell proliferation and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. circZNF91 could sponge miR-1283 to suppress its activity, which in turn upregulated WEE1 expression. Silencing circ-TTBK2 reduced WEE1 expression, while the inhibitor of miR-1283 enhanced WEE1 expression. The miR-1283/WEE1 axis mediated the effects of circZNF91 on cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as induced cell cycle regulation. Conclusions: The circZNF91/miR-1283/WEE1 axis is engaged in the pathological phenotypes of CLL cells, which could serve as potential targets for future therapy development.

Variation in spatial distance between the lumbar interlaminar window and intervertebral disc space during flexion-extension.

PURPOSE: Knowledge of interlaminar space is important for undertaking percutaneous endoscopic discectomy via an interlaminar approach (PED-IL). However, dynamic changes in the lumbar interlaminar space and the spatial relationship between the interlaminar space and intervertebral disc space (IDS) are not clear. The aim of this study was to anatomically clarify the changes in interlaminar space height (ILH) and variation in distance between the two spaces during flexion-extension of the lumbar spine in vitro. METHODS: First, we used a validated custom-made loading equipment to obtain neutral, flexion, and extension 3D models of eight lumbar specimens through 3D reconstruction software. Changes in ILH (ILH, IL-yH, IL-zH) and distances between the horizontal plane passing through the lowest edge of the lamina of the superior lumbar vertebrae and the horizontal plane passing through the lowest position of the trailing edge of the same-level IDS (DpLID) at L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1 were examined on 3D lumbar models. RESULTS: We found that ILH was greater at L4/5 than at L3/4 and L5/S1 in the neutral position, but the difference was not significant. In the flexion position, ILH was significantly more than that in neutral and extension positions at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1. There were significantly more DpLID changes from neutral to flexion than that from neutral to extension at all levels (L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated level-specific changes in ILH and DpLID during flexion-extension. The data may provide a better understanding of the spatial relationship between lumbar interlaminar space and IDS, and aid the development of segment-specific treatment for PED-IL.

Triptolide attenuates idiopathic pneumonia syndrome in a mouse bone marrow transplantation model by down-regulation of IL-17.

Idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) accounts for significant morbidity and mortality in patients following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). However, no effective therapy has been identified to reliably treat IPS. Previous studies using mouse BMT models suggest that the pathology of IPS in IFN-γ deficient host involves increased IL-17 levels along with recruitment of donor T cells into lung. Triptolide is a potent immunosuppressive compound isolated from an anti-inflammatory Chinese herbal medicine. Triptolide can significantly inhibit generation of IL-17 by T cells and mediate immunosuppressive effect on autoimmune disease. In the present study, we used a specific murine BMT model (IFN-γ deficient B6 to wildtype B6D2F1) to assess the protective effect of Triptolide on the development of IPS. We observed that IL-17 levels were significantly decreased in the lung after triptolide treatment compared with vehicle group. Furthermore, decreased number of Th17 cells in lung was found to be associated with amelioration of lung histological injury and pulmonary dysfunction. Additionally, neutralization of IL-17 also significantly reduced IPS pathology. Our study implied that triptolide could significantly inhibit donor T cell recruitment into lung, and thus prevent lung dysfunction after BMT usefully and effectively. Our study may shed some light on searching for proper strategies to prevent IL-17 mediated IPS and other Th17 cell-mediated immune pathologies.

[Preparation of chitosan scaffold with different deacetylated degrees and evaluation of the degradation characteristics].

The chitosan scaffolds with different deacetylated degree were prepared in this study. The morphology of scaffolds were observed using SEM, and the porosity, the water absorbing swelling ratio and the degradation were examined both in vitro and in vitro. The results showed that the chitosan scaffolds with different deacetylated degree exhibited three-dimensional structure with high porosity. With increasing of deacetylated degree, their porosities were 93.46%, 90.02% and 86.71%, respectively. The swelling ratios of chitosan scaffolds were 820%, 803% and 772%, respectively. At the fourth week, the degradation rates were 30.44%, 22.08% and 17.10% in vitro, respectively; while the corresponding rates were 57.48%, 40.23%, 29.53% in vivo respectively. The degradation rate of chitosan scaffold was negatively correlated to deacetylated degree. Furthermore, it showed that the speed of degradation in vivo was faster than that in vitro. We concluded that controlling the deacetylated degree of chitosan can provide a well-matched degradable scaffold material for the reparation of cartilage defects.